Late-arriving Russell hears it from fans

If on some level I thought the Andre Ward-Allan Green WBA super middleweight title fight would be a temporary diversion from all things Raider, I was wrong.

Unlike the last Ward fight, which took place during the season in November, there wasn’t a Raider to be found at or around ringside Saturday night at Oracle Arena.

Then, with Ward having his way with Green throughout to the thunderous cheers of the home crowd, came a familiar figure.

Walking right past the press area where I sat near the aisle with columnist Monte Poole, I looked up as Ward was doing his work and saw . . . JaMarcus Russell.

He was wearing a University of Alabama red leather jacket and a new red Alabama hat. He was wearing sunglasses. Maybe Russell thought nobody would recognize him, given that he went to LSU and that sunglasses aren’t necessary in an arena.

Boy, was he wrong.

The boos started growing as an usher helped Russell find his seats. A Raiders fans wearing a crisp, new Rolando McClain jersey (No. 55), stood up and began taunting Russell, asking him for his money back on his season tickets. He’ll have to get in line, given that Al Davis wants $9.55 million of money he paid out to Russell as part of a grievance.

Russell attended the Nov. 21 fight between Ward and Mikkel Kessler, and although he got booed there as well, he stuck around and posed with sympathetic fans.

After Ward completed his 12-round shutout of Green, Russell heard the hoots again as he departed, with many fans standing and waving their hands in derision. There were a handful, however, that greeted Russell warmly, and one that even gave him a hug.

It was at the same time surreal and predictable.

Surreal that Russell would show up in Oakland at all. Surely he knows he’s well atop the list as the most unpopular ex-Raider.

Predictable that when Russell did get to the fight, it was two-thirds over.

It brings to mind one of the first qualities wide receiver Louis Murphy identified about Bruce Gradkowski when he took over for Russell last season.

Gradkowski, Murphy said, was punctual.

A strange appearance to be sure, but a remarkable contrast. Ward is earnest, serious about his craft and does little to draw attention to himself. Punctual, too.

Russell? None of the above.

Not sure whether Russell having the nerve to walk into that environment is something to be admired or pitied.

Green must have been OK with it though. For a couple of minutes at least, fans were diverted from the beating being administered by Ward.

Satele will be fine in year 2 of this system. I was one of his biggest critics last year, but the guy has some talent. 2nd rated C coming out behind Khalil when he was drafted.

Especially with Gallery and Campbell flanking him.

======================

This is his 4th yr in the League and I don’t see it. Too often he gets turned around and has his back to the LOS, completely misses delayed blitzes and stunts, struggles to get second level and doesn’t make reads.

In the ZBS center is the most important guy. He makes the reads and the calls for blocking schemes.

Satele hasn’t been anywhere close to accomplishing that.

Hope he’s made leaps and bounds but pretty skeptical.

I’d be shocked if anything other than an injury places Campbell in the starting lineup anywhere on the line let alone guard.

He’s terrible at run blocking ESPECIALLY cut blocks a staple of the ZBS.

Campbell’s too raw to make the starting line up at guard this year. He doesn’t even know how to play his “natural” position of tackle.

Don’t be surprised if we enter game on with Carlisle at RG.
***********************************

Oh no buddy he will be there for sure…..Cable loves that guy…..terrible…..

The Return of Godliness

# Nnamdi21 Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

147. In theory, it should be improved but we’ll have to see…
******************************

Yeah but out of all things to say 25th? Come that isnt a real improvement at all. Dudette is saying the defense still sucks and will always suck under Al Davis….here that MR spirit against Al as well

The Return of Godliness

And 909…..i only would have went Vlad just to make sure he didnt play for my team on Sundays…..well Al beat me to it lol…………..BRB

fat kidd

The good news richard seymore signs for 12.4 million the bad news he is going to hell.Wealth is an obstacle to love of God. But it is an equal hindrance to loving our neighbor as ourselves; that is, to loving all men and women as Christ loved us. A rich man may indeed love people of his own party, race, or those of his own opinion. He may love those who love him: “Do not even the pagans do the same?” But a rich person cannot have pure disinterested good-will to every child of man. This kind of love can only spring from the love of God, which his great possessions expelled from his soul. This is why it is difficult–almost impossible–for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. They are hindered from loving

http://Noknuckleheads! 909RaiderLifer

Bri3n…

Yeah.. good thing Al beat you to the punch.. so to speak..lol..

http://Noknuckleheads! 909RaiderLifer

AMF’s……

Nnamdi21

The Return of Godliness Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
# Nnamdi21 Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

147. In theory, it should be improved but we’ll have to see…
******************************

Yeah but out of all things to say 25th? Come that isnt a real improvement at all. Dudette is saying the defense still sucks and will always suck under Al Davis….here that MR spirit against Al as well

=======================

Some people on here won’t know what the he-ll to do with themselves when we fianlly start winning consistently again.

Nnamdi21

156. “Material goods kill the soul.”

JB

Raider Tales from the crypt:

Al Davis had put together the perfect team for the Oakland Raiders. The only thing that was missing was a good quarterback. He had scouted all the colleges and even the Canadian and European Leagues, but he couldn’t find a ringer who could ensure a Super Bowl win.

Then one night while watching CNN he saw a war-zone scene in Afghanistan . In one corner of the background, he spotted a young Afghan Muslim soldier with a truly incredible arm. He threw a hand-grenade straight into a 15th story window 100 yards away.

KABOOM!

He threw another hand-grenade 75 yards away, right into a chimney.

KA-BLOOEY!

Then he threw another at a passing car going 90 mph.

BULLS-EYE!

“I’ve got to get this guy!” Coach said to himself. “He has the perfect arm!”

So, he brings him to the States and teaches him the great game of football. And the Raiders go on to win the Super Bowl.

The young Afghan is hailed as the great hero of football, and when the coach asks him what he wants, all the young man wants is to call his mother.

“Mom,” he says into the phone, “I just won the Super Bowl!”

“I don’t want to talk to you, the old Muslim woman says. “You are not my son!”

“I don’t think you understand, Mother,” the young man pleads. “I’ve won the greatest sporting event in the world. I’m here among thousands of my adoring fans.”

“No! Let me tell you!” his mother retorts. “At this very moment, there are gunshots all around us. The neighborhood is a pile of rubble. Your two brothers were beaten within an inch of their lives last week, and I have to keep your sister in the house so she doesn’t get raped!” The old lady pauses, and then tearfully says,

Wow…some of this I think I read in a Steve McCorkran article but pretty inspirational.

Glad to have McClain on board. Seems like a hard working solid young man unlike that one guy…can’t remember his…oh well.

MistaBrown

J Russell is a ignorant buffoon, just like 0bama.

Jerry not another word about JaMeatloaf please, let this be the last!

MistaBrown

Agreed.
______
# Just Fire Baby Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 9:58 am

I love Linguica, the crown jewel of breakfast sausages.

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

RRRRRRRRAAAAAIIIIIIIIDDDDDDEEEEEERRRRRRRSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

MistaBrown

SeyGelnnDeboDectector666, does it feel good to type RRRRRRAAAAIIDDDEEERRRS like a 12yr old moron?

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

mistabrown are you a mental retard? You sure sound like one. Is everyone on the blog oakglen? Or are you just stupid?

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

RRRRRRRRAAAAAIIIIIIIIDDDDDDEEEEEERRRRRRRSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

RRRRAAAAIIIIIIDDDDDEEEERRRRSSS! AFC West Champs 2010!

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

Where did that foooool mistabrown go? To the Cleveland Browns web site?

The Return of Godliness

Just got done watching Book of Eli………..boooooooooooooooooooooooo

The Return of Godliness

# JB Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 3:15 pm

The most confusing day in the world:

Fathers day in Oakland.

Sorry guys, it just seemed humorous to me – an Oaklander.
*************************

Garbage

Thec07

What up NATION???

Thec07

Happy fathers day to all of you dead beats…

The Return of Godliness

Sup Theculator

Thec07

What up ROG, How u been Mang???
Got two words for ya….Ron Artest…

MistaBrown

This joke was funny 1 time long ago. But it was just 1 time, and it was long ago.
_____

# JB Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 3:15 pm

The most confusing day in the world:

Fathers day in Oakland.

Thec07

ROG, your relative is going to be playin for the enemy chargers right…. He has a good chance to get some
playing time, as VJ is going to sit out until nov…

Thec07

MistaBrown, did you ever work in San Diego???

MistaBrown

SeyGlenDeboDetector666, when you stop using all the same lame as hell lines WE will stop figuring out its you…

FYI…I do realize you purposely use the same krap so you get attention. You have mental disorders, it’s common knowledge.

MistaBrown

Thec
No, why?

Thec07

Brown, Your writing style is like a guy that I used to work with in SD…

MistaBrown

Oh, ok

Kinda like OakGlen and all his aliases?

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

mistabrown is a nut job. He freaked out in here last night. mistabrown go away. You are very sick and stupid.

MistaBrown

JW,
I wasnt in here last night.
lol

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

MistaBrown Says:
June 19th, 2010 at 6:03 pm

JB does SuckEyeRaider chew your bubble gum for you too or just think and type for ya?
========================================

This wasn’t you? Or are you having more hallucinations?

MistaBrown

6pm is late afternoon it doesn’t get dark until 8. I was in here late afternoon..

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

So you are having hallucinations.

MistaBrown

I haven’t hallucinated since HS.

MistaBrown

JW 6pm is night time for you? You eat dinner at 4pm with the blue hairs and tuck yourself in at 7 ?

When I think of night time its 10 or 12, sorry for the age barrier miss communication.

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

# MistaBrown Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 9:36 pm

I haven’t hallucinated since HS.
======================================

You hallucinate that everyone is oakglen. lol.

MistaBrown

JW, when you stop using all the same phrases as SeyGlenDeboDetector666 I’ll stop knowing its you, do we have a deal?

MistaBrown

SeyGlenJW,
I dont think recognizing 5 or 6 aliases as you is “everyone” on this blog do you? You must see a huge difference between 6 and 400, yeah ?

fat kidd

there are two ex-raiders that will return justin fargas and janarcus russell,fargas will pass a physical later this summer and jamarcus will play in the ufl later to be signed by the raiders after a lenghty holdout for more money!!

http://raidersfans.net Just Win

lol. mistabrown you must hear voices.

The Return of Godliness

# Thec07 Says:
June 20th, 2010 at 9:13 pm

What up ROG, How u been Mang???
Got two words for ya….Ron Artest…
********************************